10 Foods to Increase Libido in Men and Women

Whether you realize it or not, men and women of any age can suffer from a loss of libido, also known as a decreased sex drive. While increased age is commonly associated with a loss of libido, many other factors can influence this reduction as well, including:

• Stress
• Depression
• Drug or Alcohol Abuse
• Low Testosterone Levels
• Prescription Medications
• Relationship Issues
• Weight Gain

The market is flooded with medications and products that claim to be a libido booster. However, there are far more natural ways to achieve this. In this article, you will discover the connection between diet and libido, along with valuable insights on specific foods that may help to alleviate or exacerbate such decreases.

Sexual Stigma Is Fading

As a result of a decrease in the stigma surrounding sexual desires, people have recently started to seek help for their lowered sex drive. When it comes to addressing a loss of libido, it is critical that individuals are aware of the effects that one's nutrition and lifestyle habits can have on their overall sex drive.

Thanks to modern technology and research, we know more about libido, how it works, and what factors can contribute to a loss of it. And that is exactly what this article will focus on – what can affect libido in men and women and ways to naturally improve your libido.

What Is Libido?

Libido refers to an individual's desire for sexual activity, and the term is often used interchangeably with 'sex drive'. While the cause of low libido is similar in men and women, some factors may differ depending on one’s gender.

Male Libido

While it is normal for men to notice a natural decrease in their sex drive as they get older, age is not the only contributing factor. In fact, a loss of libido can happen at almost any age for several reasons, including the following:

• Stress
• Depression
• Low Testosterone
• Medication

If low testosterone levels are the cause of low libido in a man, this can often be related to erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is when a man struggles to either achieve or maintain an erection. While erectile dysfunction is related to low libido, this in itself would be the symptom not the cause.

Female Libido

Similar to men, many factors can contribute to a low libido in women. However, because the factors that contribute to a decreased sex drive can differ slightly based on one’s gender, there are some changes in the potential causes for women. Such causes can include the following:

• Relationship Issues
• Health Conditions
• Media Images of Female Sexuality
• Stress
• Prescription Medication
• Low Testosterone
• Menopause

In addition to all above, birth control pills can also be the cause of a lower sex drive. This happens due to the hormonal change that the body goes through.

How Diet Is Connected to Libido

Believe it or not, making changes in your diet can improve many health concerns. Despite this, people are far less likely to alter their diet and instead go straight to doctors for help. Sexual health is no different from this, as many related issues can also be improved through proper nutrition. For example, there are many supplements and foods that can increase libido and others that can decrease it.

Briefly, some foods to increase libido include:

• Sources of Vitamin C
• Foods Rich in Iron
• Natural Aphrodisiacs
• Collagen

Libido Booster Foods

Sources of Vitamin C

Improving blood circulation and sex drive in women are both linked to vitamin C. Foods that are high in vitamin C include oranges, red peppers, and broccoli.

Iron-Rich Foods

If an individual has low levels of iron, then this may be linked to low libido. Low iron levels are often associated with a negative impact on sex drive, especially in women. Great sources of iron include leafy green vegetables and grass-fed meat.

Natural Aphrodisiacs

Foods that are great natural aphrodisiacs include bananas, avocados, and figs. Packed with vitamins and minerals, these foods not only help to increase blood flow but also sex drive too.

Foods Rich in Collagen

The production of collagen, which is the main protein found in our skin, starts to decrease as we age. This can lead to erectile dysfunction in men and the vaginal walls in women becoming less firm. Vitamin C and collagen supplements are excellent sources of collagen.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate has many health benefits, aside from being a libido booster. It can help stimulate the production of serotonin and phenylethylamine, which has an aphrodisiac effect.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin A and potassium. Potassium helps promote better blood pressure, which helps to treat erectile dysfunction.

Water

This one may come as a surprise, but proper hydration is associated with significant sexual health benefits. Dehydration can lead to a lower libido, as well as increased vaginal dryness in women. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids is a great way to avoid a decrease in your libido

Watermelon

Watermelon is richer than experts believed in an amino acid called citrulline, which relaxes and dilates blood vessels much like Viagra and other drugs meant to treat erectile dysfunction 

Steak

Chicken and beef contain amino acids carnitine and arginine, which improve blood flow. In both men and women, this is key for sexual response. It not only helps to get the blood flowing to the right places, it also helps to maintain desire for longer.

Oats

Oats are jam-packed with amino acids and a great way to increase libido and lower cholesterol levels. Amino acids and decreased cholesterol levels are both associated with improved erections.

Foods to Avoid for a Great Libido

While many foods can increase your sex drive, it is also important to note that many foods can decrease your libido. Some of these foods include:

• Processed Food
• Sugary Foods
• Trans Fats
• Alcohol
• Sodium-Rich Foods

Additional Tips for Boosting Sex Drive

As well as making changes to your diet, there are other natural ways to enhance your sex life. Here are some more tips on how to naturally boost your libido:

Relieve Stress – No surprise here, but stress will usually cause a decrease in sex drive. Women are more affected by stress, which can affect their relationships more than men.

Keep Your Relationship Healthy – To put it simply, if you have been arguing with your partner, then you are less likely to be in the mood for sex. If your relationship has ongoing issues, this decreased desire can be further extended. Resolving any problems in your relationship can be vital to maintain a healthy sex life.

Boost Self-Confidence – Unsurprisingly, the way you feel about your body can have a huge impact on your sex life. If you are battling insecurities, then this may discourage you from having sex and enjoying it.

The Bottom Line

Overall, there are many natural ways to boost your libido and enhance your sex life. What makes these natural remedies especially enticing is that when you compare them to non-natural solutions, they offer similar benefits without any of the negative side effects. In addition to implementing a natural approach to resolving libido issues, we also recommend that you speak with your doctor to rule out any potential underlying medical problems. Your doctor can also provide you with other beneficial lifestyle changes that are specific to you. Ultimately, getting to the root cause of the problem will go a long way in resolving sexual health issues.